SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The Bureau of Reclamation and the California Department of Water Resources prepared a joint Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) for B.F. Sisk Safety of Dams Modification Project to reduce seismic risks at B.F. Sisk Dam in Merced County. The Draft EIS/EIR is available for a 45-day public review period.
“B.F. Sisk is a key component to both the Central Valley Project and the State Water Project," said Ernest Conant, Reclamation’s Mid-Pacific Regional Director. “We are pleased to release this joint document for review and comment."
Initiated as part of Reclamation’s Safety of Dams program, the Draft EIS/EIR evaluates the potential direct and indirect environmental impacts of alternatives that would prevent destabilization of the dam embankment, reduce safety concern, and maintain water supply deliveries to state and federal water contractors during a seismic event.
The 382-foot tall B.F. Sisk Dam retains San Luis Reservoir, which is the nation’s largest off-stream reservoir and serves California’s State Water Project and the federal Central Valley Project.
* May 7, 2019, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Federal Building, Cafeteria Conference Rooms, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, CA 95825
* May 8, 2019, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Miller and Lux Building, 830 6th Street, Los Banos, CA 93635
The Notice of Availability (NOA) and Draft EIS/EIR may be viewed at Reclamation’s website at https://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_project_details.php?Project_ID=34281; DWR’s website at https://water.ca.gov/News/Public-Notices/April-19/BF-Sisk-Dam-EIS-and-EIR; at 1416 Ninth Street, Room 604-8, Sacramento, CA 95814; Los Banos Public Library at 1312 Seventh St., Los Banos, CA 93635; or by emailing rochelle.amrhein@water.ca.gov.
Written comments on the environmental document must be received by close of business May 28, 2019. Send comments to Jamie LeFevre, Reclamation, 2800 Cottage Way MP-152, Sacramento, CA 95825 or jlefevre@usbr.gov, or to Shelly Amrhein, DWR, P.O. Box 942836, Sacramento, CA 94236-0001, or via email to rochelle.amrhein@water.ca.gov, or faxed to 916-653-2960. For additional information or a CD document copy, contact Shelly Amrhein at 916-653-6973.
Source: Bureau of Reclamation
